This is a painful experience for me. I received this coin earlier this week. (Top photo is the seller's shot) As I took it out of the
flip it shipped in, a chunk of the
patina broke off (aaarrrrggggghhhh!). The coin is nearly 3mm thick with
patina accounting for about half the thickness. Under the
patina was revealed to be a core of metal that has a white dusty appearance. The second shot is how it currently looks and the last is a close up of the damage.
The rest of the coin is in
good shape (o cracks or chips). But the 'powdery' metal concerns me. How should
his coin be preserved (as opposed to conserved)? Should I worry about moisture in the air and further coin decomposition? Wax will not buff out imo and would be unsightly. Should I seal the exposed
area with polyeurathane or the like? Should I just live with it and do nothing?
Opinions please from the esteemed
membership. Thanks, Jon